Monday, September 23, 2013

Just a quick post today- I hope to be back tomorrow. This week is busy, busy working on birthday, visitor and baby cards for my church. I love being able to serve this way.

But I did take time to play in the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge. I played a lot when they first started, but got out of the challenge mode. Now….I am back! Here is the sketch and my card. If you take a moment to visit theFreshly Made website, you will find lots and lots of inspiration for your crafting.

I turned the sketch a bit and chose a Clean and Very Simple design. It is almost monocromatic- one of my favorite color combos. But, I love Coastal Cabana and our glimmer paper so much, I am adding a touch to almost every card these days.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Twelve years ago terrorists attacked the U.S., killing hundreds at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. Today we are facing yet another situation where evil has taken center stage. Let’s take a moment today to pray for the families of those who lost their life twelve years ago, and pray for a revival in our country that will lead our decision-makers to choose the best and most Godly way to tackle the terror abroad. This day should be one of reflection on the blessings we receive each day because of our Savior.Just a quick card to day for the Just Add Ink color challenge, but, unfortunately I forgot the time difference between here and Australia, so I missed the deadline. But you can still check out the fabulous creations by the designers, as well as the terrific participant gallery. Lots of inspiration, just for you!

And here is my card. It’s a CAS (Clean and Simple) card and I love it. The sketch was inspired by mamamostamps.com and I will be using it for a quick WOW card in the future. It would make a terrific design for a set of notecards.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

Last night was our weekly Community Group Bible Study class. Rather than have Sunday School classes, our church focuses on building relationships and personal spiritual growth through community. Fourteen to sixteen people meeting in homes once a week for an in depth study of the previous Sunday’s message. Part of the meeting is devoted to sharing what is going on in our lives and prayer requests. This gathering is the highlight of our week. We have very special relationships with these fellow believers and I am always blessed when the evening comes to an end. And also very grateful. Last night my contribution to the prayer list was to pray for our leaders as they make difficult decisions this week and also thanking God for our group and how he has blessed us with honesty and integrity. We do not deserve his blessing, but through his grace, I gratefully receive.So, as I pondered just what to do for the Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge, I knew that Truly Grateful would be perfect as it aligned with the way I am feeling this week. Visit this terrific challenge and check out the amazing creations of the designers and gallery participants. Maybe you will want to join in too. You can reach this weeks challenge, PCCCS057 here. The first sketch is the original and the second is the same sketch rotated. That is the one I used for my card. I love that we can play with the sketch a bit to suit our design.

And here is my card. I embossed the wheat with Early Espresso embossing powder to give it a little pop. The burlap banners are hand cut from the gorgeous ribbon in the Holiday catalog. I used a strip of Adhesive Sheet on the back to give it some stability. It also helps with fraying. I absolutely love, love the DSP embossed with the Pretty Print Embossing Folder because a little white shows through- pretty cool, I think. And the sentiment is stamped on the 7/8” Cotton Ribbon in the Annual Catalog. Love this effect.

Recipe: (all product available 24/7 at Diane’s Demo Site)Paper: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Sweater Weather DSP Stamps: Truly Grateful Inks: Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Chocolate Chip Accessories and Tools: Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Versamark, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Pretty Print Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Brights Candy Dots, Designer Naturals Buttons, Linen Thread, 7/8” Cotton Ribbon, 1-1/4” Burlap Ribbon, Chalk Talk Framelits, Adhesive SheetsThanks for staying with me on this long post. I leave you now with a sweet photo of Princess Bella. I am working with a new photo program and blurred it a little. I think I like the effect. Of course, I had the perfect subject!Blessings,Diane

Thursday, August 29, 2013

I am a big admirer of Justin Krieger and when I learned he was a designer for a new to me sketch challenge blog, I knew I wanted to play along. You can see Justin’s fabulous creations at JK Cards. Here is the sketch and my card for the Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge # 56.

I {heart} this card! My inspiration came from another terrific designer and fellow Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Cecile Ortiz at Lezards de Cilou. I clear embossed the seashell and fish after stamping in black, then sponged various color inks to highlight ocean colors. Then did a little fussy cutting (which I love). Using Cecile’s technique, I added depth with my stylus and double mounted the pieces. You really can’t see it, but it is pretty darn cool IRL. I hope you enjoy.

There is so much going on everyday in my life. I never dreamed that being retired meant having something to do pretty much all the time. I think we retired folks take on projects because we think…”well, I am retired so I have all this time…”

Well, I don’t! I finished this card yesterday afternoon, but didn’t have time to post because of doctor visits. Then today we had a house showing in the morning (house is for sale-downsizing like retired ppl should do) so we had to get out and roam awhile; then a visitation at the funeral home for a friend’s mother; then a meeting with our financial advisor this afternoon. All of which interferes with my stampin’ time.But I always have time for the sweet Princess Bella. Here’s a cute pix of her all ready for the pool. I just love this cutie.Blessings,Diane

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

I should be working on a baby shower invitation job this morning, but decided to continue with my challenge streak (this is the second day!). Today’s card is for the ColourQ # 204 challenge to use Concord Crush and Lucky Limeade, (both retired) and Bermuda Bay. My card is a quick, clean and simple card focusing on the Expressions Thinlit Dies in the Holiday Catalog.

Monday, August 26, 2013

It has been much too long since I participated in a card challenge. A few years ago I would stay up at night waiting for the various challenges to be posted. Then life (and Princess Isabella) and blog readers came along and unfortunately I spent more time reading blogs than creating.So what motivated me today? With September approaching, it is time for my favorite crafting time of the year- the holidays. So I am beginning with Merry Monday and Just Add Ink sketches. They were similar and a chance to use my new favorite element- WASHI TAPE!

Recipe: (all product available 24/7 at Diane’s Demo Site)Paper: Whisper White Cherry Cobbler, Champagne Glimmer Paper Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Ornament Keepsakes, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Inks: Versamark, Gumball Green Accessories and Tools: Season of Style Washi Tape, Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Big Shot, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat tool, Modern Label and Word Window punches, Basic Rhinestones, Linen Thread, DimensionalsBefore I sign off, here is a sweet photo of the Princess brushing a llama at a Fun Fair event here. We read a Llama, Llama book at bedtime when she is visting and she just squealed when she saw one in real life.I hope your week is off to a great start. Have fun and thanks for visiting.